Press Advisory

Press Operations

Press Advisory

IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Release No: 092-96March 28, 1996

No. 092-P:03/28/96:Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Technology

March 28, 1996

Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Technology Paul G. Kaminski will join Vice President Al Gore and Transportation Secretary Frederico Pena in releasing a new Administration policy on the Global Positioning System at a White House briefing at 10:30 a.m. Friday, March 29.

The new policy balances national security interests with expanding commercial, civil, and scientific use of the GPS system.

GPS is a constellation of 24 satellites and associated equipment and facilities maintained by the Department of Defense that allows users to determine their position and navigate anywhere in the world. It originally was designed by DoD as a dual-use system, the primary purpose of which is enhancing the effectiveness of U.S. and allied military forces. GPS remains critical for national security and is being integrated into virtually every facet of U.S. military operations. At the same time, however, growing demand from civil, commercial and scientific users has generated a U.S. commercial GPS equipment and service industry that leads the world.

News media interested in attending the briefing should fax clearance information (date of birth, social security number and name as it's provided on a photo ID) to the Office of Science and Technology Policy at (202) 456-6019. Reporters will enter the White House complex by way of the Northwest Appointments gate, and will be escorted from the press lobby of West Wing to the Old Executive Office Building. Reporters should be at the Northwest Gate no later than 10 a.m.